Duke Energy, Eversource and 25 other energy companies signed an energy storage corporate responsibility pledge and committed to participate in a taskforce to optimize safety standards, according to an announcement by the Energy Storage Association on Thursday. The pledge prioritizes safety for energy storage resource deployment, integration, and operation. Utilities and third-party storage developers pledged to contribute storage experts to a taskforce focused on responsible supply chain practices, potential operational hazards, end-of-life, and recycling in the industry. The ESA formally launched its corporate responsibility initiative for the industry at its annual conference in Phoenix, Arizona last week.